One of Swansea’s most high-profile sports events has scooped a top world ranking.
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea has been held for the past two summers and is due back this summer, featuring a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile cycle and 13.1-mile run.
It will return in July with its run course having been named the third best in the event’s world calendar – and the best across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The run sees athletes go twice on a loop from the Maritime Quarter and through the Marina along the prom and back along the prom and parts of the seafront main road.
Come rain or shine, runners enjoy it due to factors such as its flat route and its stunning views across the broad sweep of Swansea Bay.
The event is held with the support of Swansea Council and the Welsh Government. It attracts thousands of competitors, supporters and local spectators who enjoy a free day of world class sport.
It’s estimated that the IRONMAN event brings around 20,000 spectators to Swansea. Together with the World Triathlon Para Series it’s estimated to be worth more than £2m to the local economy.
Robert Francis Davies, council cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said: “This is great news for Swansea and its IRONMAN 70.3 event.
“Those of us who live in Swansea know how well its spectacular location and natural beauty make the area a fantastic stage for major events.
“It’s a major reason why sports and music promoters keep coming back year after year, giving the people of Swansea a brilliant range of events.
“This year we’ll once again welcome events such as the IRONMAN 70.3, the World Triathlon Para Series, the Wales Airshow, outdoor theatre and a series of Singleton Park concerts by world-class musicians.”
The new Swansea honour came in the IRONMAN 70.3 Global Athlete’s Choice Awards. IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea was ranked the third best run globally and the best run course in across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The global top five also featured two courses in North America, one in Canada and one in Brazil.
IRONMAN UK and Ireland project manager Rebecca Sutherland said: “The Swansea scores in our annual athlete’s choice awards were amazing and have been warmly welcomed in the IROMAN community.
“The awards are a measure of which races around the world are fan-favourites. Marks are accumulated in post-race surveys taken by our many thousands of athletes.
“With our 2024 Swansea event still around six months away, we’re already getting close to sell-out for race entries so we’re looking forward to some great action under the warm Swansea sunshine!”
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea, on Sunday, July 14 this year, will follow the city’s third staging of the 2024 World Triathlon Para Series on Saturday 22 in the SA1 Waterfront area.
In both cases, local residents, business and organisations will be given advance notice of road changes during the events, key elements of the Enjoy Swansea Bay events programme.
More:
· www.visitswanseabay.com/events/
· www.ironman.com/im703-swansea
· www.ironman.com/global-athletes-choice
